Air Fryer Mushrooms are the side dish you didn’t know you were missing. They come out perfectly tender with golden, savory edges — no hovering over a hot skillet required. This recipe takes just 20 minutes and uses almost no oil.
Other great ways to use up mushrooms could be in Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup or Creamy Mushroom Risotto.
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Why this Air Fryer Mushrooms Recipe is a Keeper
This is one of those recipes that earns a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation. It’s fast, it’s simple, and the results are genuinely impressive.
- Minimal oil: You only need one tablespoon of olive oil for the whole pound.
- Hands-off cooking: The air fryer does the heavy lifting — no babysitting required.
- Big flavor: A simple blend of garlic, paprika, and herbs makes every bite taste intentional.
- Done in 20 minutes: Prep takes 5 minutes, cook time is 15 — weeknight approved.
Do I Need to Dry the Mushrooms Before Putting Them in the Air Fryer?
Yes, and this step really matters. Mushrooms hold a lot of water naturally, so any extra moisture on the surface will steam them instead of letting them get those golden, slightly crispy edges. After rinsing, give them a thorough pat-down with paper towels before slicing.
You can also skip rinsing entirely and just wipe each mushroom down with a damp paper towel, which is actually the method I prefer. Less water on the surface from the start means better results with less effort.
Pro Tip for Air Fried Mushrooms
Don’t skip the shake at the 5-minute mark. Mushrooms release moisture as they cook, and tossing them halfway through keeps them from steaming in their own liquid. That one shake makes the difference between tender-golden mushrooms and limp, soggy ones.
Ingredient Notes for the Best Mushrooms in the Air Fryer
You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this recipe — most of them are probably already in your pantry. Here’s what to know before you start.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Mushrooms: Button or cremini mushrooms work best here. Cremini have a slightly deeper flavor if you want a more savory result.
- Olive oil: Just one tablespoon is enough to coat the whole pound and help the seasonings stick.
- White pepper: Milder and slightly earthier than black pepper — it blends into the seasoning without overpowering. Black pepper works fine as a swap.
- Granulated garlic: This distributes more evenly than fresh garlic, which can burn in the air fryer at high heat.
- Dried herbs: Basil, thyme, or oregano all work well — or use a mix of all three if you have them on hand.
Variations and Substitutions for Easy Air Fryer Mushrooms
This recipe is easy to make your own with a few simple tweaks. Don’t be afraid to play with the seasonings or the type of mushroom.
➡️ Swap the mushroom variety: Try baby bellas, portobello slices, or oyster mushrooms for a different texture and flavor profile.
➡️ Add heat: Toss in a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes with the other seasonings.
➡️ Use garlic powder: It’s a direct one to one substitute for granulated garlic if that’s what you have.
➡️ Switch the herb blend: Italian seasoning works perfectly in place of individual dried herbs.
➡️ Try avocado oil: It has a higher smoke point and works as a straight swap for the olive oil.
➡️ Make them dairy-free: This recipe is already dairy-free as written — no changes needed.
Special Equipment Needed To Make It Easier
You don’t need much to pull this recipe together, but a couple of tools will make the process even smoother.
- Air fryer: Any basket-style or tray-style air fryer works. Just make sure yours can reach 390°F.
- Large mixing bowl: You need enough room to toss the mushrooms and seasonings together without making a mess.
- Chef’s knife and cutting board: For slicing each mushroom into two to four even pieces.
How to Make the Air Fryer Mushrooms Recipe
Here’s the quick overview of how this comes together.
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
- Clean and slice the mushrooms, then transfer them to a large bowl.
- Season with salt, white pepper, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, and olive oil. Toss to coat.
- Air fry in a single layer for 10 minutes, then shake the basket and cook for five more minutes.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips
A little planning makes this recipe even faster. Here are a few ways to save time.
➡️ Buy pre-sliced mushrooms: Skip the slicing step entirely — pre-sliced mushrooms from the grocery store go straight into the bowl.
➡️ Mix the seasoning blend ahead: Combine all the dried spices in a small jar and store at room temperature. When you’re ready to cook, just measure out what you need.
➡️ Line the basket: Use aluminum foil or an air fryer liner for easy cleanup — one less thing to deal with after dinner.
Alternate Ways to Cook Mushrooms
No air fryer? No problem — these mushrooms can absolutely be made on the stovetop.
- Stovetop/Sauté Method: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the seasoned mushrooms in a single layer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Oven Method: Spread seasoned mushrooms in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, tossing once halfway through.
Can I Make Air Fryer Mushrooms Without Oil?
Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. The tablespoon of olive oil in this recipe does two important things: it helps the seasonings adhere to the mushrooms, and it promotes browning in the air fryer.
Without it, the spices won’t stick as well and the mushrooms may come out dull and a little dry. If you’re watching your oil intake, you can reduce to just a light spray of cooking oil — that’s enough to get most of the same results without using a full tablespoon.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Let the mushrooms cool completely before storing. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days.
- Reheating: The air fryer is your best bet for reheating — just three to four minutes at 370°F brings them back to life. A hot skillet works too. Skip the microwave if you can; it makes them rubbery.
- Using Leftovers: Leftover air fryer mushrooms are incredibly versatile. Toss them into scrambled eggs, fold them into a quesadilla, pile them onto a burger, or stir them into pasta. They’re also great on top of a grain bowl or mixed into a stir fry.
Expert Tips for Making This Air Fryer Recipe
➡️ Single layer is key: Spread the mushrooms as flat as possible in the basket. Overlapping means steaming, not browning.
➡️ Don’t season too early: Toss the mushrooms with oil and seasoning right before they go in the air fryer. Salting them too far ahead draws out moisture and makes them soggy.
➡️ Check at the 13-minute mark: Most mushrooms hit the perfect texture right around 13 minutes. The extra three minutes are there if your mushrooms are especially thick or your air fryer runs cool.
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Air Fryer Mushrooms
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Ingredients
- 1 Pound Mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- ⅓ teaspoon Salt
- ⅓ teaspoon White pepper
- ⅓ teaspoon Granulated garlic
- ⅓ teaspoon Paprika
- ⅓ teaspoon Italian Seasoning Blend
Instructions
- Start by preheating the air fryer to 390℉ degrees.
- Clean mushrooms by wiping down with a damp paper towel. Cut each mushrooms into 2-4 slices. Transfer sliced mushrooms to a large bowl.
- To the bowl of sliced mushrooms add salt, white pepper, garlic, paprika, dried herbs, and olive oil. Mix until evenly coated.
- Add the mushrooms in the air fryer basket, try your best to spread into a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes.
- About 5 minutes in you will want to shake the air fryer basket to move around the mushrooms. Cook for 5 more minutes. If necessary add for 3 additional minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer and transfer to a serving bowl.
Christina’s Notes
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F before adding the mushrooms. A hot air fryer means better browning from the start.
- Dry your mushrooms well. Pat them thoroughly with paper towels or use the damp paper towel method to wipe them clean.
- Cut evenly. Aim for 2 to 4 slices per mushroom so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Season right before cooking. Salt draws out moisture — toss and go.
- Spread into a single layer in the basket. Crowding the mushrooms traps steam and prevents browning.
- Shake the basket at 5 minutes into the second cook. This redistributes the mushrooms and encourages even cooking on all sides.
- Taste at 13 minutes before adding extra time. Mushroom thickness varies, so check before committing to the full 15.
- Use a liner if you want easy cleanup — aluminum foil or an air fryer basket liner works great.
- Serve immediately for the best texture. Air fryer mushrooms are at their peak right out of the basket.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.